Poetry Pea - haiku and other English Language Japanese short forms

In this episode of The Poetry Pea Podcast, we begin an in-depth exploration of one line haiku and senryū in English. What makes a one line haiku work? Is it simply a haiku written without line breaks, or is there something more subtle happening with rhythm, pause and flow?
Through close readings of poems by Michael Segers, John Wills, Alvin Cruz, Elizabeth Searle Lamb, Kala Ramesh, Tess Sherman, Scott Wiggerman, martin gottlieb cohen and even Allen Ginsberg, we examine how the single line changes pacing, meaning and impact.
We also begin asking some bigger questions about English-language haiku:
Have Western poets reshaped the short form into something unrecognisable in Japan?
Are English one line haiku a natural evolution — or a reinvention?
Is a one line poem a haiku simply because the poet says it is?
This is Part 1 of a short series. Next week we’ll turn to techniques for writing one line haiku, looking at structure, rhythm and craft.
If you’re interested in:
one line haiku
senryū
English-language haiku technique
haiku form and structure
poetry craft discussions
modern haiku debate
then this episode is for you.
Show notes and links are here.
If you’d like to read along, a slideshow version is available on YouTube.
Keep writing.

Monster trucks meet haiku.
In this adrenaline-charged episode of Poetry Pea,I share original haiku and senryu inspired by a thrilling monster truck video, captured by Renee Schaffer and curated by Allyson Whipple. Huge thanks to both for fuelling this creative ride.
Expect short-form poetry that explores power, spectacle, humour and the poetry of roaring engines and flying mud — all in just three lines.
Every poem featured will appear in the first Poetry Pea Journal of the year, celebrating contemporary haiku and senryu from our international poetry community.
Love modern haiku? Enjoy writing prompts and award-winning poems? Don’t miss the Golden Pea Award Winners Podcast and the accompanying anthology.
Subscribe, follow, and sign up to the newsletter so you don’t miss the next Poetry Pea release.
Check out the show notes.
Small poems. Full throttle.
Poets Featured today
Bisshie
Alicia Samson
Angiola Inglese
Christopher Seep
David Cox
Hifsa Ashraf
Jonathan Blakeslee
Joshua Gage
Lakshman Bulusu
Melissa Dennison
Mims Sully
Neena Singh
Mona Bedi
Ralph Matthews
Richard Bailly
Richard Tice
Rob McKinnon
Rohan Buettel
Tracy Davidson
Rupa Anand
Sheikha A.
Kimberly Kuchar

A podcast about haiku and short poetry from around the world, particularly early Spanish haikuesque poetry of José Juan Tablada, but I'll also explore Japanese haiku, early Western haiku, translation, poetic form, and contemporary practice.
This episode offers close readings, literary context, and thoughts, uncovering forgotten poems, global influences, and the ways haiku has travelled across languages and cultures. Topics include imagist poetry, one-line poems, haiku history, and writing practice.
Ideal for poets, writers, readers, and anyone interested in haiku, poetry podcasts, short poems, and creative writing.
New episodes released regularly.
Keep writing.
For today's show notes, click here

In this special episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, host Patricia announces the winners of the Golden Pea Awards 2025, celebrating the very best haiku, senryū, tanka and haibun published by Poetry Pea this year.
Recorded from her studio in Switzerland, Patricia shares a carefully curated selection of award-winning poems, chosen for their craft, originality and emotional impact. These standout pieces appear in The Golden Pea Anthology, the first collection to bring Poetry Pea’s finest poems together.
Featuring luminous haiku, sharp-eyed senryū, resonant tanka and ambitious haibun, this episode is both a celebration of outstanding poets and a masterclass for lovers of short-form poetry.
If you enjoy contemporary poetry podcasts and award-winning short poems, this episode is not to be missed.
Want to see who the talented poets are... go to the episode.

Urban Haiku Podcast | More City Life in Short Poetry
Step into the streets, gyms, roads, and temples of contemporary poetry with this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, dedicated to urban haiku and senryū. In this instalment of the Urban Haiku series, we continue to explore how modern city life finds expression through short-form poetry—capturing fleeting moments, human interactions, and everyday urban scenes in just a few carefully chosen words.
Featuring unpublished and published urban haiku and senryū submitted by members of the Poetry Pea community, this episode offers listeners the chance to hear fresh work while also engaging with questions of form, and categorisation. What makes a poem haiku rather than senryū? How does urban experience shape contemporary haiku writing? And how do poets adapt traditional forms to modern settings?
Perfect for haiku poets, short-form poetry lovers, and writers interested in contemporary haiku, this episode aims to inspire you to try writing urban poetry yourself—especially if you’re considering submitting to a current or future Poetry Pea haiku call-out.
You’ll also hear updates on Poetry Pea opportunities, including YouTube writing prompts, three-word challenges, and upcoming features such as the Golden Pea Awards.
🎧 Listen, reflect, and be inspired to write your own urban haiku.
📺 Don’t forget to explore the Poetry Pea YouTube channel and membership options for more ways to write, submit, and publish short poetry.
Show notes